TL;DR: this isn't XCOM or Jagged Alliance... most of the time! This game is more about stealth than combat. And because it's a CreativeForge game means it isn't programmed to its very end.
BUT... it's profoundly thrilling and immersive!

To be more precise, when you are forced to engage in combat this is absolutely an XCOM and JA style game with deep and satisfying mechanics at your hand. A single hit can kill and enemy forces are at many times overwhelming, so most of the time you can't just kick in the front door guns blazing. Later in the game your agents become badass killers that are absolutely able to pull off ambushes like this, but you'll have to farm a lot to reach this point, and it'll still be a risky way to play.

CreativeForge isn't known for perfectionism, to say the least. This game could have been way better, especially immersion-wise. People jump through closed windows, by itself a strange behaviour. But you can do this right next to an enemy without them noticing the noise of shattering glass. If your agent is disguised you can do it right in front of them, they don't mind. And even civilians walking around sometimes do it (imagine a secretary in an office running through a glass wall to reach her desk). The story lacks continuity at times. Imagine a´mission ending in a complete disaster (by default, it's a story mission) and no one mentions it again, while you as a player are devastated by the outcome. Or you track down a traitor in your own ranks and bury the bastard, but mission description still keeps telling you that you're looking for the mole.

BUT... in the end Phantom Doctrine is nevertheless a great game! I highly recommend to play Ironman mode. If you can avoid combat situations by just reloading a save the game becomes tedious. And this way it will be a thrilling experience. You hit the end turn button and hold your breath. Will someone notice the dead body over there? Can this guard see my agent around the corner when he continues his patrol?

So, if you like turn based tactics and don't mind the idea of more stealth than combat, if you like cold war and spy thrillers, Phantom Doctrine should be right up your alley.
Oh and, as a side note: I was pretty disappointed after playing the tutorial. The game felt messy and a bit cheap at first sight. Luckily I did come back later for a second try, so give it a chance, it's way better than it might look at first glance.

TL;DR: [b]this isn't XCOM or Jagged Alliance... most of the time[/b]! This game is more about stealth than combat. And because it's a CreativeForge game means it isn't programmed to its very end. [b]BUT... it's profoundly thrilling and immersive![/b] To be more precise, when you are forced to engage in combat this is absolutely an XCOM and JA style game with deep and satisfying mechanics at your hand. A single hit can kill and enemy forces are at many times overwhelming, so most of the time you can't just kick in the front door guns blazing. Later in the game your agents become badass killers that are absolutely able to pull off ambushes like this, but you'll have to farm a lot to reach this point, and it'll still be a risky way to play. CreativeForge isn't known for perfectionism, to say the least. This game could have been way better, especially immersion-wise. People jump through closed windows, by itself a strange behaviour. But you can do this right next to an enemy without them noticing the noise of shattering glass. If your agent is disguised you can do it right in front of them, they don't mind. And even civilians walking around sometimes do it (imagine a secretary in an office running through a glass wall to reach her desk). The story lacks continuity at times. Imagine a´mission ending in a complete disaster (by default, it's a story mission) and no one mentions it again, while you as a player are devastated by the outcome. Or you track down a traitor in your own ranks and bury the bastard, but mission description still keeps telling you that you're looking for the mole. BUT... in the end Phantom Doctrine is nevertheless a great game! I highly recommend to play [b]Ironman mode[/b]. If you can avoid combat situations by just reloading a save the game becomes tedious. And this way it will be a thrilling experience. You hit the end turn button and hold your breath. Will someone notice the dead body over there? Can this guard see my agent around the corner when he continues his patrol? So, if you like turn based tactics and don't mind the idea of more stealth than combat, if you like cold war and spy thrillers, Phantom Doctrine should be right up your alley. Oh and, as a side note: I was pretty disappointed after playing the tutorial. The game felt messy and a bit cheap at first sight. Luckily I did come back later for a second try, so give it a chance, it's way better than it might look at first glance.